Folding machine



W L. DIXO FOLDING MACHINE June 18 1929.

5- Sheets s ee Filed Nov. 21, 1924 June 158, 1929. w. L. DIXON 1.717.373

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 21. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H \nvenTo-r,

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June 18, 1929. w, DIXON 11 17.373

FOLDING MACHINE:

Filed Nov. 21, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.5.

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Patented June 18 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER L. DIXON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO REECE FOLDING MA- CHINE COMPANY, 013 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A. CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed November 21, 1924. Serial No. 751,256.

This invention is a novel folding machine, more especially an apparatus for infolding the edges of cloth or other blanks, for example those used in the manufacture of collars, cufi's, etc. The general object of the invention is to afford an improved folding machine of general and specific utility in the arts. A special object is to improve the art of folding cloth blanks for collars, cuffs, etc., and par. ticularly to enable the eflicient and satisfactory manufacture of collars or other articles wherein one or more of the edges to be folded has a contour with a decided inward or reentrant curve. For example, standing collars of certain shapes, or the one-piece turned down collar now in vogue, may be formed with a tab end accommodating the button hole and above this projecting end a concave out line connecting the tab end with the remainder of the end edge of the article. With such shapes there has been a problem in producing a satisfactory and accurate fold on account of the inherent difficulty in turning in the edge of the. fabric to the concave shape without previous slitting of the margin, or injury to the fabric during the folding. The present invention involves a mechanism whereby a shape such as that referred to can be readily, quickly and accurately folded, so as to give the desired contour, and without injury to the fabric. Other and further objects of the present invention will be explained in the hereinafter following description ofan embodiment thereof, or will be apparent to those To the attainment of the objects and advantages referredto the present invention consists in the novel machine or apparatus, and the novel features of combinations, arrangement, construction, mode of operation and detail herein illustrated or described.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the pertinent parts at the left end of a folding machine embodying the present invention, the opposite end, not herein shown, being supposed to be substantially the same. Prior patents such as Dixon 956,950 and Reece 972,916 show many general features not herein necessary to describe, such as the details of the blank defining templet, its mountings and actuation. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the part of the machine shown in Fig. 1, comprising folding mechanism embodying the present invention. Fig.

7 3 is a bottom plan view of the infolder detached from the other parts seen in Fig. 2. Fi g. 4 is a right elevation partly in section on the line 44 of Fig. 2, certain parts of Fig. 4 also representing a cross section on the line 44: of Fig. 3.

In the illustrated embodiment is shown the left end of an infolding machine in which frame parts 10 are indicated supporting at the top a table 11 above which the operations on the blank take place. A raised blank-sup porting pad 12 is indicatedin the middle part of the table, as seen also in Figs. 2 and 4, this preferably having the shape of the infolded blank and templet, and being roughened to minimize slippage of the fabric. The cloth blank is shown only in Fig. 4 and will be understood to be substantially of the shape of the, pad 19., with an ample margin around all sides to be infolded in theproduction of the completed blank. The templet may be either a single metallic piece, from which the folded blanks are stripped, or may be of the collapsible type, as in said prior patents, permitting extraction from the folds, while still resting upon the infolding bed or pad 12.

Referring to the folding means, the drawings show the same applied only to the left end of the blank, the extending tab, and the front. or lower side adjacent to the tab, and it will be understood that there may be other infolders, namely at the rear or upper side edge, and entirely around the outline. While the principles of the present invention may be differently applied the same are shown as embodied in a mechanism wherein a main infolder or folding plate 15 extends along parts of both the side and end edges of the blank. Thus the infolder plate 15 has an infolding edge 16' along the side of the outline, an edge 17 along part of the tabend, and an edge 18 along part of the end outline. The body. of the infolder plate may be thicker than the edge by reason of a downstanding shoulder 19. This is seen in Fig. 4, the shoulder leavinga recess 20 below the folding edge 16. Th is construction is valuable in carrying out the present invention, as when the infolder rises and moves inwardly to fold the fabric edge, the shoulder 19 comes up snugly against the templet and supporting pad 12, thus boxing in the blank entirely and compelling it to take the required shape. The recess and downward shoulder construction extends substantially all around the blank, more especially at the difficult or curved portions of the outline. Various preferred features or details of the infolder 15 may be as follows. Near its outer or left end is provided a short transverse slot 21 adapted to be engaged by operating connections. The upper side of the infolder 15 is formed with a recess 22 to accommodate a swinging folder piece to be described. It also is formed with a through recess 23 to accommodate a yielding shoulder piece to be described, and a groove 24: for the shank of the latter. On top of the infolder 15, near its left end, is secured a cross plate 25, and further to the right an analogous cross plate 26, each of these partly covering the depression 22, and the plate 26 shaped to gage or position the infolded blanks.

The swinging infoldcr or folding piece 27,

already referred to, is engaged in the recess.

22 on top of the main infolder 15 and is held down by the transverse plates 25 and 26. The infolding piece 27 is fulcrumed at 28 and at its inward portion is formed with a curved folding edge 29 conforming with a portion of the collar tab and the adjacent end, thus including the concave part of the outline. The relation of the folding edge to the pivot 23 is such as to give a substantially right angle infolding movement. The swinging in folder 27, like the main infolder, is formed with a transverse slot 30 adapted to receive an operating pin.

Partly beneath the swinging infolder piece 27, and roughly conforming to its folding outline, is a special shoulder piece 32, fitted in the recess 23 of the main infolder. The infolder 27 has no downward shoulder, but the special shoulder piece performs the described function at the critical parts of the outline. This shoulder piece 32 has a shank 33 extending at a suitable slant, and while normally held forward is capable of yielding outwardly to a slight extent to ease the pressure on the cloth as the latter is molded to thetemplet. This is accomplished through an upstanding pin 34 acted upon by spring 35. This arrangement is found effectively to shape the blank to the templet at the reentrant curve, placing considerable pressure on the fabric to mold it to the concave shape, and yet avoiding undue strain on the fabric. The combination of the main infolder 15 with its downward shoulder, the swinging infolder 27 without a shoulder, and the yielding shoulder piece, is the preferable embodiment of the present invention, and very perfectly solves the difficulty hereinbefore mentioned.

The means for actuating the infolders automatically will now be described and in connection therewith the preferred timing of the parts, from which the development of the cams will be understood. It will be understood that Fig. 2 shows the original or outward position of the infolders, and they areall normally lowered as in Fig. 4 so as to lie flush with the upper surface of the bed or pad 12. This enables the blank to be laid smoothly upon the pad preparatory to the descent of the templet. The cross plate or bridge piece 26 has its right hand or inner portion shaped approximately to the outline of the unfolded blank, thus serving as a gage to assist the proper positioning of the blank. The infolders are required to be lifted before they are moved inwardly, and when moved completely inwardly stand over the templet and pad a suitable extent. The amount of inward movement and the inward position are sufficiently indicated by the outline of the depending shoulder 19, including the shoulder piece 32. This outline is shown by the dotted line in Fig. 2 and full line in Fig. 3 and will be seen to be of the same shape as the pad and templet. In other words when the infolders are moved completely inward the shoulder will contact snugly against the vertical side edges of the templet and pad entirely around the outline. The actual movement of the main infolder 15 will therefore involve a transverse rearward movement to the extent of the width of the side edge 16, and a longitudinal movement to the extent of the width of the ed e 18. Preferably the cams will be timed to commence the transverse or rearward movement in advance of the endwise movement as the infolder moves inwardly,

giving a resultant curved movement from the full outward position to the full inward position shown. As the infolder plate 15 moves rearward and starts endwise, to fold a part of the tab end, the swinging infoidcr plate 27 will preferably be forced inwardly upon the tab from the opposite direction, thus effectively folding the tab simultaneously at all sides, and at the same time shaping the fabric to the reentrant curve. This forcible and effective infolding action is supplemented by the described molding or shaping as the shoulders 19 and 32 finally come to position in vertical contact with the margin of the ad. The cushioning effect due to the slight yield of the shoulder piece 32 increases the accuracy of the operation and prevents mutilation of the goods.

The transverse or rearward component of the infolder movements may be effected by the following mechanism. The infolder plate 15 is seen to extend forwardly considerably beyond the table 11. The plate formed with a pair of upstanding studs 39, longitudinally in line with each other, and these are arranged to engage in a longitudinal slot- 10 in an actuator bar 41, which moves rearwardly and forwardly. he tops of the studs are connected by a cap plate 42 which extends beyond the edges of the slot 40, thus giving support to the infolder plate, which does not rest upon the table 11. The described structure permits the infolder plate to be bodily lifted for the purposes described,

Y main or cam shaft 55.

while the pins 39 running in the slot 40 per-v mit it to be freely moved longitudinally.

The actuator bar 41 has at its outer or forward edge an upstanding flange 43, giving rigidity to the bar. The connections for moving the bar rearwardly and forwardly include a lug 44 formed at the forward side of the flange 43, this lug adjustably carrying a threaded stud 45, which extends downwardly and has connected to its lower end a block 46. This block has a vertical slot in which plays a longitudinal stud 47 attached at the upper end of a lever arm 48, mounted on a rock shaft 49. It will be un derstood that the opposite end of the rock shaft will be provided with similar connec tions, so that the two ends of the actuator bar will be moved in unison. Attached to the rock shaft .49 is a cam arm 50, having a follower 51, engaging a cam groove 52, in a cam disk 53, mounted on the By the rotation of the main shaft the actuatorbar is thus thrust inwardly and moved outwardly at the proper times, carrying with it the infolder plate 15, while freely permitting up and down movements through the stud and slot connections 46. 47 e The lifting and lowering movements may be effected and controlled by mechanism of a form now well known. For example the actuator bar 41 may be lifted and lowered, thus carrying with it the infolder system, suspended from it through the studs 39. Such lifting and lowering mechanism is shown at the forward side of the machine, it being understood that it may be duplicated at the rear side and at the opposite end. A block 57 is shown swivelled near the left end of the actuator bar, and this block has adjustably secured to it through nuts 58 a rod 59, which extends downwardly to a suitable lever and cam mechanism for effecting the lifting and lowering movements at the proper times. When lifted this rod lifts the actuator bar and thereby the infolders. When pulled downwardly it will depress the actuator bar and thereby forcibly pull the infolders down, if desired, upon the infolded blank, at the end of the operations, preferably after the contraction of the templet.

It remains only to describe the means for effecting the endwise movements of the main infolder and the swinging movements of the infolder 27. The slot 21 in the infolder 15 is shown engaged by a pin 61, this pin being carried at the inward end of a push rod 62, having an adjustable connection 63, with a block 6-4 swivelled at the upper end of a cam lever 65, fulcrumed on an axle '66 and with :1 lower extension or cam arm 67, having a follower 68, extending into the groove 69 of a cam disk 70, secured on the main shaft 55. By this mechanism the cam 69 operates to move longitudinally inward the infolder plate 15 in proper timing with its transverse inward movement effected by the cam 53.

The described swinging movements of the infolder 27 may be similarly effected by the following connections. A pin 71 engages the slot 30 and is carried at the inner end of a push rod 72, having an adjustable connection 73, with a block 74, swivelled at the upper end-of a cam lever 7 5,-fulcrumed on the axle. 66, the lower extension 77 of the lever constituting a cam arm, provided with a follower 78 engaged in a cam or groove 79 of a cam disk 80, secured on the main shaft 55.

The operation has been partly indicated. After the blank is placed on the pad 12, aged by the bridge plate 26, and the templ et 14 positioned on the blank, the lifting cams elevate the infolders. Thereupon the cam 53 starts the infolder 15 moving rearwardly and the cam 7 0 starts it endwise, the swinging infolder 27 moving in against the tab and concave part of the blank, and the blank thus being shaped over the templet, the movements only ceasing when the shoulder 19 and the block 32 come snugly to the sides of the supporting pad. The shaping may be improved by'heat and pressure, and thereupon the infolders move out and down to original position.

The described operations are considered to be novel as a method of infolding a tab. end or other blank having a concave curvature.

It will thus be seen that I have described a folding machine embodying the principles and attainingthe objectssof the present invention; and as various matters of combination, operation, arrangement and detail may be variously modified without departing from the principles it is not intended to limit the invention to such matters except so far as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for infolding blanks for collars or like shapes having an extending tab end with adjacent reentrant curve, the combination of a raised supporting bed of an outline having a reentrant curve corresponding to the shape'to be infolded, a templet for defining the outline, and infolding means comprising a pair of infolder plates movable inwardly together over the templet in the general direction of the length of the extending tab, and simultaneously convergingly toward each other, and a separate shoulder piece shaped to the outline of the reentrant curve and movable below and in a different direction from the movement of either of said plates into the reentrant portion of the supporting bed adjacent the tab end.

2. In a machine for infolding blanks for collars orthe like having a projecting tab end with adjacent concave curve, the combination of a raised supporting bed of the outline to be infolded, a templet for defining the outline, and infolding means comprising infolder plates movable inwardly over the templet toward the opposite sides of the tab end and a separate shoulder piece shaped to the outline of the concave curve; one of said intolder plates corresponding to the concave curve being swingingly mounted on the other intolder plate and operable simultaneously therewith, and the separate shoulder piece being slidingly mounted under said other intolder plates.

3. In a machine for infolding blanks tor collars or the like having a projecting tab end or concave curve, the combination of a raised supporting bed of the outline to be infolded, means for defining the outline, and infolding means comprising infolder plates movable inwardly over the teinplet, one of which plates is movable inwardly upon one side of the tab end, and another being a swingable plate movable convergingly upon the other side of the tab end, the first plate having a depending shoulder shaped to the outline of the raised bed, and a separate shoulder piece fitted beneath the swinging infolder plate.

4:. In a machine for intolding blanks for collars or the like having a projecting tab end or concave curve, the combination of a raised supporting bed of the outline to be intolded, means for defining the outline, and intolding means comprising iniolder plates movable inwardly over the templet, one of which plates is movable inwardly upon one side of the tab end, and another being a swingable plate movable convergingly upon the other side of the tab end, the first plate having a depending shoulder shaped to the outline of the raised bed, and a separate shoulder piece yieldingly fitted beneath the swinging in folder plate.

5. In a machine for infolding blanks for collars or the like, a raised supporting surface, an intolder having a depending shoulder and movable inwardly, and a second infolder movably fitted to the first intolder, a separate shoulder piece beneath the second in't'older, and means for simultaneously operating said infolders.

6. In a machine for inlolding blanks for collars or the like, a raised supporting surface, an intolder having 21 depending shoulder and movable inwardly, and a second in folder movably fitted to the first infolder, and a separate shoulder piece beneath the second intolder.

7 In a machine for infolding blanks for collars or the like, a raised support-ing surface, an intolder having a depending shoulder and movable inwardly, and a second intoldermovably fitted to the first intolder, and a separate shoulder piece beneath the second infolder yieldingly fitted to the first infolder.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature hereto.

WALTER L. DIXON. 

